Federal Haversacks - Thread or Rivet

[beanbomb]

Concerning federal haversacks, what are the differences in the sewn bags vs the riveted bags? Were the riveted bags a later war item? I have read that they were a prewar item and that they are a late war item, so now I'm just confused.

 

[UCVRelics]

Good question. I really don't have a clue. Maybe @major bill has some answers. He should be along shortly.

 

[Package4]

Concerning federal haversacks, what are the differences in the sewn bags vs the riveted bags? Were the riveted bags a later war item? I have read that they were a prewar item and that they are a late war item, so now I'm just confused.

I have a fairly extensive haversack collection and am not aware of a riveted haversack other than the closing strap, would you provide a source? I am curious as rivets would tear the fabric fairly quick.

 

[beanbomb]

Sorry I wasn't very specific, the rivet on the closing strap is what I am referring to.

 

[major bill]

Good question. I really don't have a clue. Maybe @major bill has some answers. He should be along shortly.

I am more into uniforms and not very knowledgeable on knapsacks. I take it early in the War many states had knapsacks made up?

 

[major bill]

Here are some of the suppliers from my home state of Michigan.

1. W. T. Tefft, 25 Woodward Avenue, Detroit Michigan also listed at 66 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, Michigan. In the gazetteer they were listed as a wholesale and retail dealer in Albany and Troy stoves, hardware, Japanned and stamped tin ware, wrought iron pipes, fittings, Ashcrofts steam gauges, manufacture of copper, tin and sheet iron ware. They provided the State with large numbers of canteens, mess pans, tin cups, knives, forks, spoons and camp kettles. William Tefft provided the State with 1000 haversacks (this is probably the same firm).
   
2. A. W. Wood, of Adrian Michigan provided some haversacks to Michigan regiments. This may be Clark & Wood which was operating out of Adrian Michigan in 1861.
   
3. S. Cleveland (city unknown) supplied some of the haversacks used by some early Civil War Michigan regiments.
   
4. Duncan Brothers (city unknown) early in the Civil War supplied Michigan with some knapsacks.
5. Haydon & Baldwin was located at 81 Woodward Avenue, Detroit Michigan. They are listed as selling coaches, saddler and hardware. Early in the war they provided the State with some knapsacks.

 

[mofederal]

As far as I know, the only rivet was on the leather closing strap. I would say sewn otherwise.

 

[Package4]

So the rivet were the later war pieces, you will find that the M1857 Cartridge box was also totally sewn and found to come apart at the straps, both closure and belt, which were subsequently riveted. The Pattern of 1861 had rivets on the belt loops/straps, then the Pattern 1864 had the rivet on the closing strap to reinforce the sewing (all referring to the cartridge boxes, but haversacks followed suit.)

 

[Package4]

Keep in mind that states issued these as well and may not conform to spec as a result. I have a Haversack of a Vermont soldier who died on July 3 and his state issued haversack has a rivet on the closure tab. Haversacks in the field were very short lived as they took a beating in the field.